- 7 minutes ago
- 5 min read
11th March 2026
As We Keep Growing
It has been a wonderful and encouraging start to the year together as a church, don't you think!?! We currently have over 110 people working through our SHAPE short course, had 16 present for our first Welcome Lunch of 2026 last Sunday, and have been experiencing a steady stream of those searching for faith or a new church week to week. The upshot of all this is that we have certainly been experiencing fuller than normal AM services on Sundays!
In a year of growing movement and momentum, we are excitedly anticipating, praying for and preparing for ongoing growth as a church family.
A growing church can be fun and exciting to be a part of, but we also acknowledge that it presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges. We want to take a little time in our newsletter this week to share some of the practical things that pastoral team are looking at and invite you to consider how you can help us as we keep growing.
Practically, the pastoral team are are currently recruiting an AM usher team to help everyone find a seat in our weekly Sunday morning service (without having to awkwardly stand at the back until kids go out to spot a free seat). We are also recruiting an AM carpark team to help with the traffic flow and ensure safety in our carpark. We are also looking to (re)establish a PM welcome team to be another layer of welcome for those who come along for their first time at NVBC. Together we are reviewing some of our signage and systems to make sure that things are clear, warm and welcoming to all of our first-time guests.
Whether it is your fourth Sunday at NVBC or your four-hundredth, you are part of helping us create a warm and welcoming community experience for one another and for all who visit.
There are a few practical ways we would love your help:
PRAY --> thank God for the growth and Gospel opportunities he is bringing in this season, pray for His grace upon us as we seek to steward these, and join us in praying for even greater Kingdom impact through the life of NVBC into the future.
WELCOME --> be on the lookout for those you don't know and go out of your way to welcome or connect with them. This might look like helping someone know where to sign their kids in or pointing out our Info Desk. It might look like offering to sit with someone who has come on their own. It might look like introducing them to others or offering to shout them a coffee after the service. It might look like committing to talk to someone you don't yet know after the service each week before catching up with your 'already friends' friends.
CARE IN ACTION --> very practically it would be wonderful if you can make your way into the auditorium before the service starts (it's a little harder to see the gaps once everyone is standing to sing) and to fill from the front as able. Bonus points if you are able to walk to church or park in a nearby street to keep our carpark onsite from overflowing. And make sure to stay back next Sunday (22nd) for our family lunch and dinner and take the opportunity to get to know some people you don't already.
Together, as we continue to grow, let's be the kind of church that excels in genuine connection, in being others-centred and in growing deeper in community with one another.
Staying Connected (with Jesus!)
On Sunday we explored Jesus' famous "Vine and the Branches" teaching recorded in John ch15. The importance of our personal, ongoing connection with Jesus cannot be understated for our new life, our faith and our fruitfulness as believers! There are a number of foundational practices that help us remain in Jesus; from prayer to sabbath rhythms to engaging in various forms of worship and community.
One foundational spiritual practice is spending regular time in God's Word.
Late last year we activated an NVBC account on the Bible App, which many of you have found and joined. It is encouraging to see the collective impact of the App and to know that we are each carrying access to the Scriptures with us wherever we go with our phones (which we assume is most places!).
Alongside your paper Bibles, if you are looking for a great resource to help you engage in your Bible as a means of staying connected to Jesus... join us on the Bible App! There's great reading plans, the ability to highlight and take notes on verses and ways to be encouraged by what others are sharing.
News from ZOE (Thailand)
Late last year, the ZOE Bible School students joined with another mission NGO in evangelistic outreach at a local school. The students preached the Gospel to a primary school (376 pupils), of whom at least 90% would not have heard it previously. The children played games, watched a drama, and prayed. At the end, the kids were asked to draw or write whatever they wished, and many wrote to Jesus or drew pictures of themselves with Him.
They also participated in their first Christmas evangelistic event in Pa Miang sub-district. As the community has no Christian presence, it was their first large-scale Christmas celebration. ZOE students sang and presented about the meaning of Christmas. Since Christmas, ZOE has been invited to participate more in that community, organising sport and music programs for youth and creating activities for elderly residents.
NVBC has been supporting the work of the ZOE Bible School (aka Leadership Training) for many years. Learn more about the work of ZOE online or, better, ask Chris Young about it. And look for the prayer points in The Harvest.
This Week
Sunday Services (Sun 15th Mar)
This week Travis (AM) and Meg Salan (PM) are preaching from John 15:18-25.
Valley Sundays is on during our AM Service.
Rest of MARCH
Church Family Lunch & Dinner (after the services 22nd March)
Plan to stick back after the services on Sunday 22nd March for lunch together after the AM and dinner together after the PM. We will also have baptisms in the PM Service that day!
Seniors Service (Thurs 26th March)
This month Kaye Ryan will be sharing part of her story. Come to hear and join for a time of hymns, communion, encouragement and connection.
Easter at NVBC
It is one of the most significant weekends in our church calendar. Who will you invite to join us in the celebration of Good Friday (April 3) and Easter Sunday (April 5) this year?
For all other upcoming events, visit:
